**The Official Shoe Care Thread: Tutorials, Photos, etc.**

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baby shampoo.

Yeah I think this Leather Master stuff is mostly water with a touch of a mild soap like baby shampoo. When using it, is it alright to use a damp cloth even if it means a little water soaks into the leather (to the point where it darkens temporarily)? I assume doing this every once in awhile isn't going to screw up the leather as long as I use cream / renovator as appropriate.

 

[JezeC]

So my cobbler decided to paint over the sides of my leather soles with a brown finish when they were initially black. I tried using a sole edge dressing to re-paint it black, but it the black ink doesn't stay on the shoe for long with brown paint resurfacing after a few wears.

Is there any way to strip out the thick layer of brown paint, so I can actually paint it black with the sole edge dressing again?

This is what I'm using:

http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Heel-Edg...d=1397219945&sr=8-1&keywords=kiwi+sole+polish

 

[ellsbebc]



So my cobbler decided to paint over the sides of my leather soles with a brown finish when they were initially black. I tried using a sole edge dressing to re-paint it black, but it the black ink doesn't stay on the shoe for long with brown paint resurfacing after a few wears.

Is there any way to strip out the thick layer of brown paint, so I can actually paint it black with the sole edge dressing again?

This is what I'm using:

http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Heel-Edg...d=1397219945&sr=8-1&keywords=kiwi+sole+polish

Sand it down to remove the brown edge dressing. Reapply the edge dressing of your choice.

 

[JezeC]

Quote:
Thanks for the advice, but can you elaborate a little on this "sanding" technique. Does this require some sort of equipment and is this an arduous task?

 

[Kelvin Chin]

When should I start shoe care if wearing from May on alternate days for work? Which items to use for very basic maintenance? -In Singapore

 

[chogall]



Quote:
Thanks for the advice, but can you elaborate a little on this "sanding" technique. Does this require some sort of equipment and is this an arduous task?

200+ grit sandpaper. Quick and easy.

 

[cbfn]



Quote:
Thanks for the advice, but can you elaborate a little on this "sanding" technique. Does this require some sort of equipment and is this an arduous task?

 

[JezeC]

Maybe I portrayed my message the wrong way, but I didn't want to purchase an expensive equipmpent for sanding purposes. I'm in no way, shape or form, affluent....

 

[chogall]



Maybe I portrayed my message the wrong way, but I didn't want to purchase an expensive equipmpent for sanding purposes. I'm in no way, shape or form, affluent....

Us peasants buy sand paper at Home Depot with our lunch money. Some even saved a whole months lunch money for a dremel.

 

[patrickBOOTH]



Hi guys,

I'm looking for an especially mild method of shoe cleaning--anyone got any tips?  Occasionally I'll get a little grease spot or wax buildup on a shoe.  I don't want to use a cream/conditioner that leaves anything behind, and I'd rather not use anything with a solvent that carries any risk of affecting the pigment (so no Renomat or alcohol).  What's the mildest, safest methods for cleaning lightly soiled shoes when a damp cloth won't do?

I was thinking of using a product from Leather Master called Soft Cleaner.  (http://www.leatherworldtech.com/Leather-Master-Soft-Cleaner-p/lmsoc.htm)  It's an extremely gentle water-based cleaner with a slight foaming action and a light scent... I've been using it on a nice leather couch for a long time with no ill effect.  I've used this with a soft brush on cheap driving loafers and it's worked fine... the leather initially soaks up the water and darkens, but then it dries clean and looks like new.

What do you guys think?  Any problems with that kind of approach on nice shoes?  Better ideas?

Lexol Cleaner (orange bottle)

 

[pwhinson]

I purchased a pair of Rider boots second hand and there is some creasing on these boots however with most of my shell I don't get creasing per se; rather as they break in and stretch a bit I get the typical smooth "rolls" typical of shell. In this case there is some surface texture that no matter how vigorously brush, I can't seem to get rid of. I'm reluctant to strip them with renomat (I have some on hand but I've never used it on Cordovan). Any ideas how to get rid of this surface texture which otherwise mars a very nice pair of boots?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

As I am the one who sold them to you I will say there is very little of anything on the vamp of those boots in terms of wax. Renomat will just strip dyes at this point.

If you are used to Alden shell, they put a coating on them, which give it that more shellacked surface. FWIW, I don't put a lot of product on the vamp of any of my shoes, so your answer might lie in putting some creams and waxes on it. Also, shell has, naturally, a lot of surface variations, and color variations. It is just inherent in the hide. Here's a pair of my shell saint crispins where you can see the color/texture variation in the creases:

 

[pwhinson]

Thanks Patrick - I'm perfectly happy with the boots otherwise. I didn't want to "out" you as the source of the boots but I'm glad to know that this isn't a bit of excess polish mucking up the surface of the shell. I'm used to the gray color variation particularly on black shell and my concern was more the surface texture. I will say vigorously brushing the vamp did make this condition far better so perhaps with wear and repeated brushing the surface texture will get polished out a bit. When I received them I applied Saphir cordovan creme, otherwise I've not dressed them in any way.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Cordovan cream seems to be a good product. I know it has neatsfoot oil in it, so maybe the absorption of that will help. Perhaps wax polish as well.

 

[sstomcat]



Yeah I think this Leather Master stuff is mostly water with a touch of a mild soap like baby shampoo.  When using it, is it alright to use a damp cloth even if it means a little water soaks into the leather (to the point where it darkens temporarily)?  I assume doing this every once in awhile isn't going to screw up the leather as long as I use cream / renovator as appropriate.

yes and then let them dry naturally, no heat.